Indications

• Blunt or penetrating thoraco-abdominal trauma
• Multi-system trauma
• The undifferentiated, unstable patient
• Suspected ruptured ectopic pregnancy
• Suspicion of ascites or intraperitoneal free fluid

 

Equipment

• Ultrasound machine
• Curvilinear or phased array probe
• Gel

 

To fully evaluate the peritoneal cavity for free fluid, the abdomen must be scanned systematically in three areas. Studies have shown that while the pelvic view is generally the most sensitive, there are several scenarios such as isolated organ trauma in which fluid can be found in one view but not another. We will discuss each view separately.